Justin Casse

Justin Casse (born February 16, 1980) is an American born Thoroughbred bloodstock agent based in Ocala, Florida.

Casse is the son of Norman Casse, Ocala Breeders Sales co-founder, and former horse racing television commentator Linda Casse. He is also the youngest brother of North American trainer Mark Casse. Casse graduated from Florida State University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in International Affairs.

Casse's first job post-college was as working as a groom and assistant trainer for his brother, Mark. He followed that up with a stint at consignment agency Paramount Sales in Lexington, Kentucky.

Casse started Casse Sales at the age of 24, eventually selling horses for Eugene Melnyk, Kinsman Farm, Gary Barber, Earle I. Mack, Stonerside Stable and Vincent Viola, among others. The first 2-year-old he ever sold, a Rahy filly for George Steinbrenner, brought $500,000. It was his only entrant in the sale.

As an agent, pinhooker and consignor - two-time Breeders' Cup (gr.I) heroine Mizdirection is among the high-class runners to have sold through Casse Sales LLC - Casse has long been a well known industry figure. While he got his start as a 2-year-old specialist, he has expanded far beyond. The diversification of his business and expertise in European markets has been a source of growth for Casse.

In October 2016, Dancing Rags, sold by Casse on behalf of the Steinbrenner family’s Kinsman Stud, won the Alcibiades Stakes (gr.I) at Keeneland. Two days later, Gary Barber’s Keep Quiet, bought by Justin Casse for €37,000 ($45,455) at the 2014 Arqana December sale in France won the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (gr. III), also at Keeneland. Dancing Rags is the sixth grade I winner that Casse has either bought, sold, or been associated with as an agent. Keep Quiet, Classic Empire, Green Mask, Dancing Rags and Haveyougoneaway were five Breeders’ Cup contenders with whom Casse has been involved in 2016 alone. The agent purchased part interest in Haveyougoneaway on behalf of Barber after the mare won the Honorable Miss Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course. She stamped her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup by winning Saratoga's Ballerina Stakes (gr. I).

Justin Squared, a son of Zensational named for Justin Zayat and Justin Casse, showed promise in 2016 with victory in the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes on the Preakness Stakes undercard. Casse had purchased the colt for Ahmed Zayat as a foal at Keeneland in November 2013.

Other Grade I successes (excluding those mentioned above) include:

Jack Milton, who was purchased privately for Gary Barber, winner of the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland.

Negligee, consigned by Casse and later sold, winner of the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland.

Lear's Princess, co-pinhooked by Casse, winner of Gazelle Stakes at Belmont Park.